The Saints, who rank 31st against the pass (287.0 yards per game), have allowed a 200-yard receiver and seven other 100-yard receivers this season, the fourth most in the NFL.

The Cowboys' patchwork defense rates 14th against the pass (225.1 yards), but safety Danny McCray is a major liability. Last week, Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger targeted him six times, completing all of those attempts for 124 yards.

2. Line of attack: A major factor in the Cowboys' surge has been the improved play of the club's much-maligned offensive line.

In the past two games, Romo's protectors bested two outstanding defensive fronts in victories over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh.

The Steelers entered last week's game with the NFL's No. 1 defense, but the Cowboys allowed only one sack.

“It was a good performance, but it's in the past,” Dallas right guard Mackenzy Bernadeau said. “It doesn't mean anything if we don't do it against the Saints.”

Statistics say they will. New Orleans has been limited to one sack or fewer in nine games. In two of the past four games, the Saints failed to drop the quarterback.

3. Sproles vs. Ryan: With Bruce Carter and Sean Lee out with injuries, the Cowboys have been forced to get creative in how they handle running backs and tight ends in nickel situations.

But Dallas defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's craftiness will be put to the test as the Saints look to exploit the Cowboys' lack of speed at linebacker by creating mismatches with diminutive tailback Darren Sproles.

Without a speedy linebacker or safety on the roster, look for Ryan to use one of his cornerbacks (think Mike Jenkins) to shadow the shifty Sproles.

4. Tight end tango: The Saints have one of the best young tight ends in the NFL in Jimmy Graham, but the spotlight today will be on Cowboys veteran Jason Witten.

The 10-year pro has hauled in 97 passes this season, putting him five catches behind Tony Gonzalez for the single-season record by a tight end. Gonzalez had 102 for Kansas City in 2004.

Witten likely will eclipse Gonzalez, but Graham could have the last laugh going up against either the coverage-challenged McCray or journeyman cornerback Sterling Moore.

5. Bombs away for Brees: Most teams play it safe on second-and-short, passing the ball only 32.9 percent of the time, according to DallasCowboys.com. The risk-averse Saints, however, pass 70.1 percent of the time on second-and-1. In those situations, Brees has a sterling 108.9 passer rating.

The Saints will get their yards and points against Ryan's makeshift defense, but DeMarco Murray going up against one of the league's worst run defenses will limit Brees' possessions, and red-hot Anthony Spencer will again come up big at the end with a sack or two.

New Orleans, though, can take solace in knowing the loss decreases the chances of Jerry Jones going after Sean Payton.